Growing the Field Application Equipment and Precision Ag Division
Our very first dealings in field application equipment began when we became Hahn dealers in the ’60s. Although we enjoyed being a dealer, it became too much with the rapidly growing fertilizer business. Hahn sales and service responsibilities naturally overlapped with the busy fertilizer season. Although we dabbled in some sprayer and sprayer parts sales, the division truly started to form and diversify when agricultural technology came to the forefront in the 1990s.
Technology Breakthroughs
The ’90s were a time of innovation in agricultural technology. Industry leaders were at the forefront of creating technology that was precise, data-driven and customer-focused. The industry’s first yield monitor was released by Ag Leader in 1992, the Yield Monitor 2000TM. It featured a simple screen and tracked average moisture percent, total weight, total bushels and average bushels per acre. These numbers could be calculated for the entire field or be broken down by load or even combine pass.
About the same time we got set up to sell the YM2000TM, Al Kessler joined the team with intentions of working in the manure department but like so many other employee stories at Stutsmans, he would end up spearheading this emerging ag technology and eventually what would turn into the precision ag and equipment department.
Although there were a few change-averse growers, the yield monitor exploded in popularity with progressive farmers. Not only were they excited about visualizing yield information, but we were equally as excited to be providing a game-changing product and service. For years, we would hold yield monitor training sessions pre-harvest to make sure growers were set up for a good fall season. About the same time the YM2000TM was brought on, so was the GPS system from CSI, a Canadian company. That year we bought 50 to 100 and were so confident in the impact they’d have, we would let growers “borrow” them; if they liked it after using it, they could buy it, and if not, they could just bring it back. We never had any brought back.
We also ran several promotions pairing the yield monitor with this new GPS system. GPS allowed growers to see a yield map and visualize the yield variance across the field. The YM2000TM gave growers the ability to see actual crop yields on the go for the first time. It was a revolutionary breakthrough in crop production technology.
Not only were we receiving real-time field data with the YM2000TM, but the dream of self-driving equipment also became a reality when the autosteer system came into play. It greatly improved planting and fertilizer application precision. Staff applicators and customers alike saw the benefits of the autosteer system.
Parts & Equipment Expansion
Up until the early 2000s, the only shortline equipment and parts handled outside of manure, grain handling and livestock-related items were AgChem pull-type sprayers, as well as Schulte batwing mowers and MidState stainless steel tanks.
As far as parts go, getting other supplies took some legwork. “In order to buy direct, we had to buy large volumes, but we really weren’t that big,” recalled Al Kessler. Staying the course to providing quality service drove growth and helped build our volume and parts reputation. This began our long relationship with Banjo, TeeJet and Raven.
Field Application & Precision Ag Division Today
Although still providing quality parts and service in the shortline equipment and precision technology arena, the product mix now looks much different. Pull-type sprayers, which were once our hottest equipment item, have declined in popularity with the progression of farm size and the onset of on-farm self-propelled sprayers. With Al Kessler’s vision for quality equipment to help customers be more productive, and an eye for opportunity, new brands and product lines have been added, particularly in the last decade. 
Some of the most popular are ECS nurse trailers, Demco nurse trailers, Krone forage equipment, Salford/BBI/Valmar application equipment, Mobility dry carts, Behnke trailers, Dalton NH3 toolbars, Travis seed carts, Ag Leader, Raven, Precision Planting, FuelPro trailers and Lackender by ECS.
From what used to be a challenge to go direct with parts manufacturers to now being able to offer around 10,000 SKUs to fill customers’ needs, the philosophy and service behind parts has stayed the same.
“I believe the biggest value we add to customers in need of parts is the knowledge we have on our team. When someone comes in with a problem, we can lay out multiple options for a solution; many times one that they didn’t consider,” added Al.
As far as looking for what’s next, shopstutsmans.com, an online parts store, was launched in December 2020 to serve those who prefer to do their parts shopping for their favorite device, be it a phone, tablet or computer. In March 2023, Randy Lackender’s American-made skid loader attachment business (Lackender, Inc.) was purchased and added to the product offerings.
